What are the Antiseptic Methods Used to Control Infection?
• Sterilization • Disinfectants • Antiseptics. The control of infection is accomplished through sterilization and the use of disinfectants and antiseptics. Sterilization kills all life forms by heat, chemical agents, or gas. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines agents that destroy all forms of microbial life while they are in contact with a surface as sporicides. According to the EPA, Disinfectants also kill microbes but they are not quite as strong. To qualify with the EPA as a hospital disinfectant, an agent must be lethal to Salmonella Cholereasius, Staphylococcus Aureus, and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. Disinfectants and sporicides are used on inanimate objects, such as floors, equipment, and sinks. They are usually quite harsh and are not used on living tissue. Skin Antiseptics are used to kill or inhibit the growth of micro-organisms on the skin.
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- What are the Antiseptic Methods Used to Control Infection?
